What is Criterion Variable

There are different methods to examine the predictive validity of an instrument. In this chapter, the author presents a method of validation—cross sample analysis, using a study as an example. This study demonstrates the procedures to determine whether a technology attitude instrument can predict student technology learning achievement consistently across four featured samples, with the data from two universities over a nine-year period. A base-model of prediction is first developed and then tested. The predictive validity of the instrument is confirmed by the model testing results that no significant differences exist between the means of the predicted and observed learning achievement scores in each featured sample group. Background knowledge and other relevant methods of validation are also reviewed in this chapter.